Metal box



y 6, 1952 H. M. PIKER 2,596,043

METAL BOX I Filed Dec. 26, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. f/fkazkr M 11K577 TORNry I 7 kaM M m4 H. M. PIKER METAL BOX 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 27 5INVENTOR.

'7' HERB ERTM RKER @Q ff'OR/VE/ May 6, 1952 Filed Dec. 26, 1946 PatentedMay 6, 1952 UNITED STATES METAL BOX Herbert M. Piker, Hamilton, Ohio,assignor to The Hamilton Metal Products Company, Hamilton, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application December 26, 1946, Serial No. 718,481

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in metal boxes which may bedesignated as a utility box, fishing tackle box, tool box, lunch box andthe like.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of afour-sided metal box which is materially strengthened over similarconstructions now available.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a four-sidedmetal box of the kind provided with a tray interiorly of the cover andin which a tray support is provided that is also utilized forreinforcing the end and side walls of the box as well as the cornersthereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal boxor container which has the corners thereof embossed for reinforcementand utilizes separate end walls from the main blank suitably embossed tocorrespond with the end wall embossing in reinforcing the corners of thebox. I

A still further object of the present invention is the provision ofmetal box or container that is economical to manufacture and acquire andwhich has unusual strength built into it for producing an exceptionallyrigid box of the enclosed tray type.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readilyapparent by reference to the following specification considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and itis to be understood that any modification may be made in the exactstructural details there shown and described within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from or exceedin the spirit of theinvention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a closed box or container of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the box or con- 4 tainer of Fig. 1showing same with its lid or cover partially open.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the box taken on line 33on Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view through oneend of the box and taken through a plane above that of Fig. 3 and asseen from line 4-4 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevationtaken vertically of the box immediately behind the box and cover endwalls as seen from line 5--5 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the end of thebox and its cover taken on line 6-6 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a stamping forming the end wall of thebox proper and forming a detail of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a stamping which forms a brace for theend wall and a support for the tray when the box cover or lid is closed.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the upper end ofthe box and cover and particularly illustrating the hinging of the coverto the box with said view taken on line 9-9 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the hinge asseen from line l0-l0 on Fig. 9.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar referencecharacters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The box of the present invention comprises a box proper l 5 having anopened upper end closed by a cover or lid l6 which, as will later bemade clear, is hinged to the box IE. Interiorly of the box and cover isa tray l'l connected to the said box l5 and cover It through links orlevers to be actuated upon movement of the cover as will later be madeclear.

The box proper 15 comprises a bottom [I8 from the opposite edges ofwhich rises the back: l9 and front 28. The ends of the back and frontI!) and 25 are turned or rounded to provide corners at the ends of thebox as at 2| and 22 for the back IE! and 23 and 24 for the front 20. Thecorners 2! to 24- inclusive extend but a short distance around the endsof the box to provide, substantially, no more than vertical roundedcorners with the ends of the box substantially entirely open. From theremaining ends of the box bottom or base It there is upstanding shortflanges, such as 25 in Fig. 6. It is to be noted that a similar flangeis provided for each end of the box proper, The corner pieces 2! to 24inclusive are each provided with outwardly extending reinforcingcorrugations or ribs 25 which are spaced from one another vertically ofthe box corners. There is illustrated in the drawings four such ribs 26but in practice this number may be more or less depending upon theheight of the box walls from the base or bottom 18.

In order to complete the box use is made of separat end wall stampingssuch for example as illustrated in Fig. '7, and indicated in general bythe reference character 8 wherein a panel portion 2! is provided to formthe end wall proper with offset flanges 28 and 29 extendin from thevertical edges of the panel 21. The flanges 28 and 29 are offsetsufficiently to provide shoulders 30 and 3| at each vertical edge of thepanel 21 of a depth equal to the thickness of the material, metal from,which the box corners 2! to 24 inclusive are formed. The free edges ofsaid corners 2| to 24 inclusive are adapted to substantially abut theshoulders 30 and 3| in the final assembly and erection of the box endwall stamping 8|. Projecting below the end wall panel 21 is a flange 32of a depth substantially equal to the upturned flange 25 at the ends ofthe box base or bottom I3. Theofiset of theflange 32 is similar to theoffsetting of flanges 28 V and 29. and thereby forms a shoulder 33 whichrests upon the upper edge of the bottom flange 25. It shouldLbe notedthat with the end wall stamping 8| in operative position the exteriorsurface of the 'panel 21 is flush or in a plane with theexterior surfaceof the adjacent front and-:back-wall:corners'2l and 23 or 22 and 24 aswell as flush with or in:

the plane of the exteriorsurface ofth botrom flange 25.

The end wall panel 21 is provided intermediate its upper and lower endwith outwardly pro zrriectinareinf c ne orrusationso s 34 whi areequal;in number and spacing .to'the ribs 25 :of the box; frontand'backbornerswith said corrugationror ribs; 34 of the rend wall stamping:coineiding orgmatchingthe; front and back cor- ;"ner ribs--25 :whenithe said end wall stamping is in operative position. 1

;.'I heupp er-ends of the box front and back -:walls .-,|9"and '20 areinwardly offset toprovide a flange or shoulder such as 35, at the upperend-ofthe frontwall and-35 atthe upper end of the back -,wall. ,TheendWalLstamping of Fig. 7 likewise-has itsupperend inwardly offset -to-prV-icle the shoulders? which, when the end wall Stampings BI ,are ,in.operative position, are :-in the plane-of the shoulders=35and 36 of thefrontfandrback walls. :The saidfrontand back wallsqiandend. wallstamping continue upwardly jrom their respective shoulders to formavertical'lyfdisposed flange or lipfls around the .box

top.

JIheendswalllstarnpings ;8i. of Fig. 'l are re- .tainedrandf secured in:operative position by, suitable spot w elds tfi through ;the. overlappedend ll,-- stamping.,f la1 1ges .23.. and, 29 and. .box corners 12 toldinclusiven aswwell as .bysuitable. spot wells throughthe ;.end wallvstampings. bottom ,flanges araz and the;contac t ing bottom or baseflanges 25. JFQ 'Ifurthenreinforcingthe box its bottom or ribaserl .31spr vi e with aniI d y p jectin -:istamped: ri M l-il u trat d in F .6 asin theform .-.of.-..an I -n,addition.the .said,box bott oin I3 ..-isprovided vwith outwardly disposed stamping ,.in.the for-m of. circular,lugsf il to provide supports ior thebox. 7

,;,A,s .wasnotedabove the boxis providedlwith ..a.lid..or. c ver i .whhh mpris s a 1 bo y re .t.io n.4 ,from t e. si es of. hi d pend iront.and back; flanges Band id while from theends de- ;pend rendfiari es(Handed .The cover onilid [6 is. drawn from a (.blank wherefore the saidflanges '43 Qto135,inclusivel are integral with the cover orlid bodyportion 42 as .well as have their ..adjac ent ends integralwithnonehnother and .forming rounded cornerfor the coveror lid. The"ireeendsof. thecover. or lid flanges ls to. in clusive are each turnedor rolled'to provide a 'nforQ I .beadfllgat the saidifree endsthereof,behind this reinforcing bead-41 thatthe box lip.', 38isdisposed-with thesaid head (ll esting onthe front and back wallshoulders and 3-5-,as;-we,ll-- as the end wall stampings shoulders 31.

Any suitable 'or-desirable means may be employed for hingedly connectingthe'box l5 and cover or'lid 16 to one another, that shown inj'thegdrawings; comprising a pair of hinges 48 and 11.49, sec iEie- 0- Ehp ;t1 ;h se 48 a d i9 ...c.omprises a hinee leaf. 5 arreidbyt e c e or{lid l6, particularly. the cover orjlidback "flange 44,. anda; secondhinge leaf 5 I, carriedbyithebox proper l5, and particularly the boxback 19, see

Fig. 9. In order to accommodate the hinge leaf .5fithe boxjidor coverbank flange M is pro- "with-thezlid or cover back flange 44. In order toconnect thehinge-leaves 50 and 5| to one another ;:the.1.1sual;hingepin54 is provided for simultaneous. passing through the hinge eyes at theadjacent ends of hinge leaves 50 and 5|.

Within the box and cover, and particularly within the cover, when thecover is in a closed position is a drawn .tray. 55 comprisingaitray.Lbottom156 with-upstanding. side. walls; 51 and end walls I58. As ..isusual;,.prac tice ,tne jtrayl is to be positioned laterally of 'the' boxwhenthelid ,orrcoverhis open .and for which ,purposeiit is connected to(.thesaidllidor .covierqbyli'nks. The .links a1'e.at...each ..endoflthe'tray 155, andfsince this construction issubstantiallyj'identicalLfor eachendonlyoneset of vlinksand their.con-,nectio will. beiidesoribed' in detail.

, Accordinglyand ,as, seen particularly in Figs. 2

. its. cover. is well understoodsince. movement'of the cover orlidl5from-.the .position'tinFig. 5 tothat to 'LEZig. 2 will,throughtheijlinkifl, ele vate the 'said'tr'ql iron-rthe'position of"Figi 5; substantially at the; top of the :i box and centrally thereof;to the positionof Fig. '2- and will 'raise the trayoabove the upperendoiwthe box-and slightly 'rearwardly shift the: same: as'seerr in'Fig. 5. "Continued backward movementoi'the 'tray'or lid 16 will. carrywithit 1 the I tra 55 until the saidcover or lid;and tray are.substantially parallel with the sl p ort of the borwhereuponithe tray 55will be resting gen-the upper nd: of the box back lil. "Reversemovementof .the. cover" or lid'lfireturns the tray '55 toiits; position .cen-

trally of thebox and at theupper end'thereof and substantially entirelywithintheicoveror lid [5. when same .isinits.closedpositionas;illustrated in Figs;5;and 9.

In order to support thetray- 55 when thejcover or lid is. closed use ismade .of:albracket such as illustrated in Fig. '8 and whichibr'acket.when in operative position, acts as a. reinforcement for the end wallsand .as altieionconnecting the boxiront and back .wallsto onejanother.and to the endwalls. The bracket, .a's'illu'strated; in Fig. 8 andindicated"ingeneral.byjthereference numeral 58 is a stamping'havingasheli'like portion 59 and adepending skirt iii. ".The ends of the skirtor depending lflangeilfl i-arelroundeld as at H 7 and "'12 and conform Zto I-the.ro.unding-v of the corners 2 I toj2'4. ofv thebox-aswellftolthe rounding of the end wall stamping .Tflanges'QZS and.29 -since the .outer surface of.said.supporting bracket ends H and 12are adapted to. nest with and ,,engage the inner .roundedlsurfaceslofthe flanges 2.8..and ,29 -or .the .end wallstampingsfi I In order toproperly nest therematts .Tthejsaid ends H and 12 of .the supportingbracket68 are inwardly offset to provide shoulders "13 and 14 betweenthe said ends and the body of the depending skirt or flange 10. At thesame time each of the supporting brackets 68, ends H and 12 is providedwith inwardly projecting flanges 15 and Hi which is in alignment withthe shelf 69 but of considerable less width. I

In assembly the supporting bracket 68 is positioned adjacent the upperend of the end wall stamping body 21 with the corner of the shelf 69immediately beneath the shoulder or flange 31 of the end wall stampingand with the flanges 15 and T5 beneath the box corners shoulders 35which are in alignment with the end wall stamping shoulder 31, and atthe same time the bracket shelf 69 projects into the box to receive thetray. By this construction the upper end of the end walls are suitablyreinforced and strengthened. The supporting bracket 68 is retained inoperative position by spot welding such as 11 in Fig. 6 which unites thesaid supporting bracket ends I! and 12 to the end wall stamping flanges28 and 29 and the respective box corners 2| to 24 inclusive.

In order to complete the box the lid or cover i8 has secured to its bodyportion 42 a suitable handle assembly 18. Also the box I5 carrieslatches 19 for latching the cover to the box in a closed positiontogether with a lock 80 for securing the said cover It to preventunauthorized tampering with the box contents.

From the foregoing it will be noted that there has been provided a metalbox or container which can be economically produced and acquired andwhich accomplishes the objects initially set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. In a box of the class described comprising a bottom and front andback walls formed from a single blank, flanges from the ends of saidfront and back walls extending toward one another, and being in anarcuate shape in horizontal crosssection whereby rounded verticalcorners for the box results, flanges upstanding from the bottom endsbetween the front and back wall flanges at substantially right-angles tosaid bottom, end walls for the ends of the box each formed from aseparate blank and having an end wall portion with flanges from thesides and lower ends thereof for underlying the bottom and front andback wall flanges, said end wall flanges being formed on an arccorresponding to the are of the front and back wall flanges and offsetto the end wall portion to form shoulders abutting the edges of thefront and back wall flanges whereby the surface of the front and backwall flanges and end walls are flush, means for securing th end walls inposition, said front and back wall end flanges having reinforcingoutwardly projecting ribs spaced from one another vertically thereof,and said end walls proper for a distance, inwardly of their flanges,having outwardly projecting ribs for alignment with the front and backwall flange ribs when in operative position.

2. In a box of the class described comprising a bottom and front andback walls formed from a single blank, flanges from the ends of saidfront and back walls extending toward one another, flanges upstandingfrom the bottom ends between the front and back wall flanges, end wallsfor the ends of the box each formed from a separate blank and having abody portion with flanges from the sides and lower ends thereof forunderlying the bottom and front and back wall flanges, means forsecuring the end walls in position, said box front, back and end wallseach having the upper end thereof inwardly offset and 6 upwardlydisposed to form a shoulder at the upper ends of said walls with anupstanding lip therebehind, and end walls braces one for each end walland each brace having an angular crosssection to provide a skirt portionand a shelf portion, said skirt portions each being of a length equal tothe width of its end wall portion and flanges and in face contacttherewith immediately below the shoulder at the upper end of the endwall and secured in position with the end of said skirt secured to theend wall flanges and front and back wall flanges.

3. In a box of the class described comprising a bottom and front andback walls formed from a single blank, flanges from the ends of saidfront and back walls extending toward one another, flanges upstandingfrom the bottom ends be tween the front and back wall flanges, end wallsfor the ends of the box each formed from a separate blank and having abody portion with flanges from the sides and lower ends thereof forunderlying the bottom and front and back wall flanges, means forsecuring the end walls in position, said box front, back and end wallseach having the upper end thereof inwardly offset and upwardly disposedto form a shoulder at the upper ends of said walls with an upstandinglip therebehind, end wall braces one for each end wall and each havingan angular cross-section to provide a skirt portion and a shelf portion,said skirt portion each being of a length equal to the width of its endwall portion and flanges and in face contact therewith immediately belowthe shoulder at the upper end of the end wall, and spot welds forsecuring the end wall braces in position with the said braces eachhaving their ends beyond the end wall portion secured by spot welds toits end wall flanges and overlapped front and back wall end flanges.

e. In a box of the class'described comprising a bottom and front andback walls formed from a single blank, flanges from the ends of saidfront and back walls extending toward one another, flanges upstandingfrom the bottom ends between the front and back wall flanges, end wallsfor the ends of the box each formed from a separate blank and having abody portion with flanges from the sides and lower ends thereof forunderlying the bottom and front and back wall flanges, means forsecuring the end walls in position, said box front, back and end wallseach having the upper end thereof inwardlly off set and upwardlydisposed to form a, shoulder at the upper ends of said walls with anupstanding lip therebehind, and end wall braces one for each end walland each having an angular cross-section to provide a skirt portion anda shelf portion, said skirt portion each being of a length equal to thewidth of its end wall portion and flanges with the ends of said skirtportion beyond the end wall portion offset to provide shoulders forabutment with the ioulders of the end wall flanges and in face contacttherewith immediately below the shoulder at the upper end of the endwall and secured in position with the ends of said skirt portion securedto the end wall flanges and front and back wall flanges.

5. In a box of the class described comprising a bottom and front andback walls formed from a single blank, flanges from the ends of saidfront and back walls extending toward one another, flanges upstandingfrom the bottom ends between the front and back wall flanges, end wallsfor the ends of the box each formed from a separate blank and having abody portion with fiangesifromxthee'sidesandj lowerends; thereofi forunderlying thee-bottom: 'andffronteand back wall ifianges, means.forosecuringxthe send walls in' posi- 'tiomsaido-box front, ;baek.andend wallseach having thexupperr end thereof inwardly-.offset and 1upwardly disposed to -formt:a-.-shou1der at. them)- T1361 :endsofzzsaidwalls with an 'vupstandin g lip vthereluehind, -v-endwall:braces: one for Leach mendwallaandr-eachehaving.an-angulan.cross-section to :provide-zazskirtportion: and .-a shelf portion, asaid r'skirt ;-pori,ion each beinguof alength .equal to (the width of its end walLportionand flanges withatheends 0f.- said skirt :beyond :the' end wall 1 portion offasetztoprovideshouldersfor abutment withothe ashouldersofv-theoend wall'fiangesand inIface contact therewithimmediately .below the shoulder. at

the uppenend of the. endwalLandspot Weldstfor securing the end wallbracesin position with the vsaid. braces each having their ends 1 beyondthe send wall; portion secured-vbyrspot .weldsto its end -wa'11;flangesand-over1apped front and back wall endflanges.

: HERBERT M...PIKER.

'58 IREFERENCES 'CITED The following references "are of record in thefile :of this patent:

- UNITED v.S'IYA'ITES. PATENTS Number Name "Date 459,697 I Atkinson'Sept.L15, 1891 619,109 Wilson .JFeb. 7,;1899 1,414,826 Meyerson Mayi2,:1922 1,807,394 .Dunham ;Mays26,;1931 2,050,980 oBuhl Aug.. 11,19362,155,871 .Piker :Apr. 25,":1939 2,218,033 ,Thomasen Oct.; l,5, 19402,361,079 .Berry Oct. 24, 19 44 FOREIGN. PATENTS 7 Number Country .Date

218,206 Great Britain Ju1y13, 1 4 451,382 Great Britain Aug. 5, 1936

